HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS BASKETBALL: Burlington Twp. comes out of Hornets' Nest with win

By RICH FISHER, For The Trentonian

Monday, February 4, 2013

HAMILTON — Having grown up on Burlington County basketball, Hamilton High girls coach Erin Wolverton wasn’t fooled by the 4-12 record Burlington Township brought into the Hornets’ Nest last night.

And Township proved to be better than that record in getting off to a fast start and taking a 49-35 victory over the Hornets.

“I knew that coming in they were going to be a challenge,” Wolverton said. “Their conference is one of the toughest conference’s around with Willingboro, TCA and Rancocas Valley.

“So having that type of lineup I knew their record was deceiving. They’re always well coached.”

The Falcons came out smoking behind Taylor Whitley, who scored 11 of her 26 points in the first quarter as Township stormed to a 16-1 lead. Whitley hit three 3-pointers and shot 4-for-7 during the period.

“We came out a little hot today which we usually don’t do,” Falcons coach Jason Williams said. “We’re usually slow starters but we hit a couple of threes right off the bat from Taylor, we got some pressure on the full-court press and some easy steals and things went well early on. “

“We had a long talk before the game about staying together,” Whitley said. “”We wanted to just keep moving the ball, try to get everybody some points today.”

Actually it was a two-girl show with Whitley and Carlin Essex-Arline, who added 18 points.

The duo helped Burlington to a 31-14 lead midway through the third quarter before Hamilton’s Erin Septer caught fire.

The senior guard, coming off consecutive games of 30 points or more, hit two foul shots to start Hamilton on a 14-7 run. Septer had all but two points in the binge and appeared ready to bring the margin under double figures when she drove for a lay-up after a steal late in the third quarter.

But a foul ensued and Septer crashed to the floor in pain. She was helped off favoring her left ankle, her replacement missed both free throws and the Falcons maintained control in the fourth quarter. It was another in a long line of injuries to strike the Hornets this season, and Wolverton was unsure when Septer might be back.

Township has endured similar problems this season, which has helped contribute to their losing record.

“It’s been a struggle we’ve lost a couple players with injuries this year,” Whitley said. “We’re just trying to keep it together, so this feels good.”

Asked if she thought Septer’s injury changed things, the junior guard said “just a bit, but I think we would have hung on.”

Williams admitted to some concern as Hamilton (5-13) drew closer.

“They were kind of pesky,” the coach said. “They wouldn’t go away.”

But neither did Township, as all that tough competition they play paid off in the end.